Numberplate screw head snapped off

[maxp]

I went to take the numberplate off, foolishly got the drill out, press the trigger...argh.

Being a screw that hadnt moved in at least 10 years the screw head came off but left its shaft still in the car.

Any tips of how to get this mother out? Theres plastic cover on the inside of the boot lid but im not sure whats behind it and if it will help?

Only other possible method i see is to drill 'through' the screw shaft with increasingly bigger drill sizes until theres nothing but the original thread left.

[dan7]

I take it, it's the rear? Simply grab a centre punch and a short, sharp tap with a hammer should pop it through. You may have to get hold of another gromet. Or, could you not get pliers on the remaining shaft, after carefully cutting some of the gromet away? If not, drill time!!!   

[maxp]

Yep its the rear.
Wouldnt hitting it with a centre punch take the surrounding thread out with it? Not sure about the gromet part you mention. The beginning of the shaft is now flush so nowt to grab onto

[Alpine mike]

I would use the smallest drill bit you can get as in 1 to 2mm to set the hole, then plough through with a 4mm and finally tap out with something suitable. Doing it this way means that you drill bit wont 'wander' causing unwanted damage.

[maxp]

Cool thanks for all the help

[rubjonny]

drilling out a tiny plate screw is going to be very difficult. if there is any shaft sticking out get mole grips on it. if not pop the trim off inside the boot, tap the plastic square plug out from behind, replace with a new one.

[nealey]

Is it really that easy to replace them as i have a screw snapped off in one of mine and so my plate is stuck on with tape one side and keeps falling down

[Thom89]

Heat the plastic plug up with a hot air gun to melt the plastic, it will then just fall out, gaffer tape the holes up, and stick on the new plates with double sided sticky pads...
Tom

[OakeyDoak16v]

Heat the plastic plug up with a hot air gun to melt the plastic, it will then just fall out, gaffer tape the holes up, and stick on the new plates with double sided sticky pads...
Tom

Simple, yet effective.

[rubjonny]

you could just replace the plastic bungs, they're pence from vw.  I have some o them nice plate surrounds to go on, saves messin about wi tape